Montessori Education and the Value of Patience

“Everything comes gradually and at its appointed hour.”

-Ovid

We all know that patience is a virtue, but it is also a necessity in Montessori education.  Maria Montessori believed that all educators, including parents, should quietly observe and patiently guide the developing child, as he is developing at his own pace in his own time.  She noted that the child will be drawn to the materials that appeal most to him in his current developmental stage (sensitive period).  And while the child may not gravitate towards the math materials when we desire it to happen, it will indeed happen.  Sometimes we may choose to create clever variations of a material to invite the child to explore new works, but the Montessori philosophy demands that we allow the child the freedom to make his own choice.

Unfortunately, our current education system does not encourage patience.  School districts teach to the test as quickly as they can, and design their curriculums solely around state standards.  Most of us realize that these are but a few of the reasons that our system does not work for many children.  Even though Montessori schools are now a part of many districts, the patience cornerstone has been forgotten.  Perhaps we could gain something from inviting more patience into our lives, especially as it relates to the children we guide.  Let’s allow the children to teach us once again the value of this great virtue.